Super-Pole Vaulter Named Female Athlete of the Year

Jenn Stuczynski

26-year-old Olympic pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski has been named American Female Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News in its February edition, which is on newsstands now.

January 13, 2009

When Jenn Stuczynski brought home a silver medal last August from the Olympics in China, the pole vaulter from Riga didn't think she'd be in the running for year-end awards back home.

But the 26-year-old has been named American Female Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News in its February edition, which is on newsstands now.

"It was a little bit shocking," said Stuczynski, 26, a former Roberts Wesleyan College student who found out about the honor on New Year's Eve. "I had a jump the next day so ... not too much celebrating."

Stuczynski, who took up the sport only four years ago, was runner-up in Beijing to reigning Olympic champion and world-record holder Yelena Isinbayeva. But Stuczynski broke her own U.S. record twice last year and four times in 14-month span dating to May 2007. She also has won five consecutive U.S. championships indoors and outdoor.

"That gave her distinction," said her coach, Spencerport native Rick Suhr. "We were very surprised, not that Jenn wasn't deserving, but (the honor) usually goes to the biggest name and a lot of times a sprinter."

Six other Americans won Olympic gold in track and field events, Suhr said, so that figured in their surprise over Stuczynski's award. No American male pole vaulter has earned the honor from the magazine, considered the top publication for track and field, in the 49 years of the award, Suhr said, and the only other female winner was Stacy Dragila in 2001.

Next up is the Jan. 30 Millrose Games in New York City.

"She's done in four years what some people won't do in a lifetime," Suhr said.

Source:  Rochester Democrat and Chronicle